What's good in historical fiction set in France ?

I'm going to France in a couple weeks and am looking for some good historical fiction set there to take along. We're going to be around Normandy, so it would be cool to read something set there. Preferably pre-WWII. Thanks!

You should try reading "The Accursed Kings" or in French "Les Rois Maudits" it is a very interesting story mixing fiction with historical facts. The story of the curse of the medieval French kings. The author is Maurice Druon. You can find more information in Wikipedia, this is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Accurse...

Historical Fiction in France? They had a strong Army.

I recommend books by Judith McNaught. I think some may be set in France. Maybe England, sorry. Her books are historical fiction and they're wonderful.

You must fine a book link to William the conqueror.
William come from Bayeux in Normandy, if you're going there don't miss the "Bayeux Tapestry".

Perhaps, also there are some books from the beach landing in Normandy.

I join you a link with some books but only in french.

Alexandre Dumas: Count of Montecristo, The three musketeers, etc....good stuff.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. It's 19th Century Normandy. Many consider it the best novel ever written.

Flaubert lived in Normandy, so much of his work, including Madame Bovary and the short story "Un Coeur simple" (A Simple Heart) are set there.

"Boule de Suif" by Guy de Maupassant is set in Normandy during the Franco-Prussian War.

Other historical fiction that is not necessarily set in Normandy are Le Rouge et le noir (The Red and the Black) by Stendhal and Germinale (part a larger series) by Zola. The Red and the Black is set during the Restauration after the fall of Napoleon, and Germinale is set in the late 19th century (possibly during the Second Empire???)

All of these works should be available to you in English.

If you go in Normandy, you could read some Arsene Lupin story. He is the main character of many novels taking place there.
Otherwise, "the accursed kings" is definately an excellent choice.